My kids were raised in a Baja (and a bass boat). All great advice above.

If you think about it, your question is kinda like Do guns kill people? Guns and powerboats are both inherently safe, it's that "loose nut behind the wheel" that cause problems. SAFTEY first. Good luck, y'all have fun.

Probably safer than the 18' bowrider I used to ride in. I think I broke a rib when we went over a large wake and I crashed back into the seat. I also had girl 100ish lbs that popped up out of the back seat of a 21' boat I had that could do 60+. She never liked boating since.

So bigger is definitely better, keep em in life jackets and the speed reasonable. Grab handles help.

Lol to the dash on that old girl was 40 at best in her old age. Lol but still fast for a 3&1/2 - 4 year old.now he is 10

I would feel safer having kids in my 31 foot than I would a typical 17 foot runabout with a small outboard.

Same concern here. Can't decide whether to stay with "bow rider", or go for the go fast mcob style boats. Would like faster cruising speed, 45 to 50, of a boat such as sunsation 32 mcob. Just not sure about the room in the cockpit while anchored.

My boys were boating before they could crawl.
They could drive the boat at 10 years old.
My 14 year old can dock the boat better than his mom.

My daughter was 2 months old, first time in the boat and did an overnight in our checkmate. While anchored in a cove the car seat carrier fit perfect between the two bench seats in the cabin and rocked her right to sleep. She loves the boat still and is always asking when w can use it next. I have had her on smaller 19 ft open bow and a pontoon and I feel my chevkmate was by far the safest

At the Ripe Old Age of 12 my father cut me loose in our 26 foot Monza by myself. Granted it only had twin 165 s and could barely do 50 but I beat the hell out of it out on Lake Michigan anytime the waves were rolling big.

Truthfully ? Child services should have taken my Dad away

We came out of a 25 ol into a 33ol and both "gofast" boats are great for kids. Mine are 6 and 9, both wear lifejackets always and water condition permitting, I normally keep it around 50 or less. We recently got stuck in the gulf wtih 3-4s when 30% chance of rain turned the skies black, 10 degree drop in temp and enough wind for the seas.

We had 9 of us in my 33ol, my 6,9, 10 yr old niece, teenagers and 5 adults. We ran about 35-40 and plowed our way back and to this day I was surprised at how well the boat did. None of the kids were scared, I also think the amount of freeboard (which is why the wife likes this style for kids so much) makes you feel a lot safer in any conditions.

I have been out in CCs and all different types of boats, for safty in rough seas, I would not want to be in anything else and a 24 degree deep cockpit go fast boat with my kids!!

ok....who are you. IP check isle 12.